Lucky SEAL (Lucky Devil #2) (21 page)

“Thank you for making sure I was taken care of me while you were gone. I don’t know what I would have done if Trina hadn’t shown up at the hospital when I was discharged. The physical therapist and Rosa’s help have been a godsend to me. I’m getting much better. I’m not as afraid all the time anymore. I know Evan is in jail, but I can’t make myself leave the apartment yet. Having them come to me went a long way to helping me get past my fear.” Jennifer’s fear of Evan was valid, but she knew it got away from her sometimes. Hopefully, now that Rourke was home she could relax and let it go, until he had to leave again. She was afraid to ask how long he’d be home this time.

“I think Trina is right. I need to talk to a professional. Maybe talking it out will help. I’m ready to go see the psychologist you set up for me.”

Rourke looked stupefied.

“I didn’t. I have no idea what you’re talking about, baby. When I left, I only had time to call Dolce and ask her to meet you at the hospital. I had to leave her a message. She was there throughout your surgery. The hospital wasn’t allowing visitors who weren’t family until the next day. When she returned, you were gone. We didn’t know where you were. I was going to fly to Washington to search for your parents. I didn’t know where else you could be when I didn’t find you with the Davis’.”

Jennifer was blow away by this revelation. She’d just assumed Rourke ad been the one to make sure she was settled, even if he couldn’t explain things to her personally.

“If not you, then who?” Jennifer lifted her head to look at Rourke. Rourke blinked in confusion. Then a slow smile spread across his face that had Jennifer helplessly smiling back at him. Rourke didn’t smile often, so when he did it felt like a gift meant just for her.

“Luc,” Rourke shook his head. “He told me to look for you here before I ran off to Washington. The jerk knew exactly where you were. He has this annoying habit of telling people what he thinks the y need to know and no more. He didn’t explain anything to Dolce. He didn’t even tell me. We have him to thank for your helpers, though, he acted as if he didn’t know where you were either. He just let me sweat. You said Luc’s assistant got you moved, right?”

“Yes. I just assumed it was with your permission. I hope you don’t mind,” Jennifer was suddenly embarrassed. Her things had been moved into Rourke’s apartment. She’d made herself at home, and he had no idea it was happening.

“Of course, I don’t mind. You belong with me. Luc knows that. He was only doing what he knew I would do in my absence.”

“How would Luc know that?”

Rourke smiled again, “Because I told him I love you. Those aren’t words either of us takes lightly. To prove just how much I love you, I brought you a present.”

“You did?” Jennifer was surprised. She didn’t think shopping was on the agenda for the SEALs. Maybe he’d picked something up at the airport.

“I hope you like it. I can’t take it back. Ever,” he kissed her forehead. Now, he had her curious. His tone was so serious.

“I’m sure I will love anything that comes from you, Rourke.” She kissed his chest. Rourke turned slightly to switch on the lamp on the bedside table. Soft light filled the room. Rourke turned back to her and she knew a moment of fear. He looked like he had bad news to impart, not a gift to share. Jennifer sat up with him when he slid back and rested against the headboard. Jennifer looked into Rourke’s eyes and she wasn’t sure if it was fear, determination, or a combination in those ice-blue depths.

“What is it?” she asked when she couldn’t stand the silence any longer.

Rourke lifted his right hand and extended his forearm for her inspection. Emblazoned in permanent ink across his skin was a still healing tattoo. It was the SEAL Budweiser, an anchor and an eagle clutching a trident and a rifle. Jennifer blinked hard. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Tears filled her eyes. What had he done?

“But . . . but . . .” She took a shuddering breath. “You can’t do that.” The SEALs didn’t carry any identifying marks. It was too risky if they were ever caught behind enemy lines. They never did anything that would identify as Special Forces until after they left the military. Rourke had explained that to Jennifer.

“I can do that, and I did. I was due for reenlistment after this deployment. I mustered out.” Rourke brushed a tear from Jennifer’s cheek with the hand she wasn’t holding. She stared at his forearm. What had he done? “I thought you would be happy,” Rourke sounded nervous.

Jennifer was finally able to tear her eyes away from the tattoo to look at Rourke.

“Baby, Rourke, I would never ask you to leave the life you love. I want you to be happy. Even if that means I have to learn to be a Navy wife.” She cupped his face and kissed him. He clutched her to him and kissed her more deeply. When he pulled away, the smile that met her was dazzling.

“I accept,” Rourke positively crowed.

“Accept what?” she asked, confused.

“Oh no! Don’t try to take it back now! It’s too late. I already accepted.” Rourke rolled Jennifer under him and proceeded to kiss every bit of her he could reach. She giggled.

“Okay. Okay, I won’t take it back since it makes you so happy. What exactly am I not taking back,” she asked. Rourke’s bright smile was infectious. She was grinning from ear to ear back at him.

“You can’t take back your marriage proposal. Don’t try to take it back because you can’t be a Navy wife. I left the Navy, but you’re still stuck with me.”

Rourke sobered. He gave her a gentle kiss. “I didn’t leave the teams because I had to. I left because I wanted to. I loved my job, yes, but there’s nothing I love more than I love you. Nothing. I don’t want to be away from you. Not ever again. The last months were awful.”

“Are you sure?” she had to ask. Maybe they could cover that tattoo. “I don’t want you to give it all up for me. I don’t want you to resent me.”

“Baby, I didn’t. I gave it up for me. For my happiness. I’m a selfish bastard. I want it all or nothing. I want all of you. I want your every day and all of your nights. Can you give me that?”

Jennifer didn’t reply with words. Instead, she rolled Rourke and climbed over his deliciously muscular body. She showed him with great detail that all of her already belonged to him. Just like she’d told him earlier. She would always love him. Now and forever.

Rourke and Jennifer were married one month later. The small but elegant wedding was presided over by Pastor Davis. Most of Rourke’s SEAL team and many of his other friends attended the wedding. Rourke’s mother sat front and center with tears of joy and pride in her eyes. Dolce and Luc sat with Rourke’s mother in the front row. As it should be. They were his family, after all.

Rourke broke tradition and went to see the bride before the ceremony. Rourke’s wedding gift to Jennifer couldn’t wait. Rourke took a chance and reached out to Jennifer’s parents when Luc presented him with their address and phone number. Mr. Burks was there to give away the bride. Mrs. Burks cried happy tears on the bride’s side of the aisle. Jennifer’s two older brothers glared at Rourke throughout the ceremony and the reception. No one would ever be good enough for their sister. Rourke got that. He didn’t think any man would ever be good enough for Dolce either. Rourke made sure to inform the two sharply dressed lawyers that he knew Jennifer was too good for him, but Jennifer had proposed to him, after all. Who was he to break her heart?

The bride and groom said their vows with love shining in their eyes. No one would ever doubt the connection formed between the pair that fateful Thanksgiving day.

The very non-traditional wedding reception rose eyebrows among the outsiders. The bride and groom welcomed the homeless and needy of the area to a gourmet meal in the soup kitchen. Music and food were enjoyed by all, and everyone was treated like family.

During the father-daughter dance, Jennifer learned the truth about her ejection from the family. The money her brothers gave her the day walked out of their lives had actually come from her father. He didn’t support her decision, but he wouldn’t let her go penniless either. He’d been keeping an eye on her in New York, just waiting for her to give up and come home. He lost her when she took off for Las Vegas. It had been a tremendous relief to both of her parents when Rourke contacted them with the new of her wedding. While their relationship would always be strained, there was a peace made between father and daughter that would be lasting.

When Rourke took Jennifer into his arms for the last dance, they spun around the soup kitchen floor with eyes only for each other. They started their new life together, knowing without a doubt that they were extremely lucky. Lucky in love.

Five years later . . .

Rourke was late. There’d been a disturbance at The Inferno Rourke had to deal with before he could escape for some much needed facetime with his better half. Rourke had been the head of security for Luc’s at The Inferno Hotel and Casino, as well as Hell, the private entertainment club, for over five years. As long as he’d been married. His job was not of the nine-to-five variety, and it interfered with many a date night. There was always some drama or another that needed his attention. Thankfully, Jennifer was a very understanding woman with her own thriving enterprise to keep her busy, while she waited for her always-tardy husband.

Rourke was late for date night with his wife, again. Jennifer was behaving a little oddly over the past few weeks, and Rourke was starting to worry that she was feeling like his last priority. That was the furthest from the truth. Jennifer was his whole world. He worked hard to secure their future. So did Jennifer. But he could see how a woman might feel unappreciated after so many canceled dinners and nights on the town.

Rourke should have picked Jennifer up at Showgirls, her flourishing dance studio, over an hour ago. He hadn’t even bothered to change out of his suit before racing across town to Paradise, where Showgirls was located. He hurried through the smoked glass front door of the studio and down the long hall past the various studio classrooms toward the office in the rear. Jennifer had built the place from the ground up in just five years, and Rourke couldn’t be more proud of his talented, business savvy bride.

Jennifer’s lifelong dream of being a Broadway dancer morphed shortly after they were married. She didn’t want to spend long hours, late into the night, performing on the stage any longer. She wanted to help young people with a passion for dance to improve their skills and teach little kids. She had adult classes for beginners, too. She was spreading her passion for dance to anyone who wanted to learn.

In the beginning, they were strapped for cash. There wasn’t much money to be had between a military veteran and an ex-showgirl. So Jennifer got a loan and worked hard to get the business off the ground. Her father offered to give her the money, but Jennifer refused his generosity. She wanted to do it on her own, and she’d done it spectacularly. Now, she had a team of dance instructors who offered a variety of classes and an army of students who filled every class.

Rourke stopped before he reached Jennifer’s office, when the sound of music floating out of one of the studios drew his attention. Moving around the room in a graceful dance was Jennifer. She never failed to take his breath away. She flowed like water through the dance. Rourke watched, mesmerized by her every movement. When the dance was over and the music faded, Jennifer stood there looking blindly off into space. Rourke moved further into the room. Jennifer’s eyes lifted to meet his in the floor to ceiling wall mirror. God she was glorious.

Another song started. Jennifer turned and held her hand out to Rourke. He came forward eagerly to dance with his wife. Rourke learned to be a half-decent dancer since he was married. Jennifer loved to dance, and he wanted to be a part of anything that made her that happy. They wordlessly spun around the floor together in a waltz, content just to be together.

“Things are going to have to change, Rourke,” Jennifer spoke first.

“I’m sorry I’m late, baby. There was this crazy woman shouting about prostitutes and illegal gambling clubs out on the sidewalk. She was making a scene and drawing attention. Threatening to call the police. Scaring off customers. I had to deal with her before I could get away.” It was a sorry excuse, but it was the only one Rourke had to give his disappointed wife. “It’s not that late. We live in Las Vegas. It’s never too late or too early here. Let’s get out of here. We’ll get a few drinks and dance the night away.” Rourke gave Jennifer that smile that was just for her.

“That will have to change, as well. At least for a while. No drinking for the next six months or so. I know I told you I would never try to change you, Rourke, but this is a game changer. It’s not just you and me anymore.”

Rourke didn’t know what to say. He’d done it this time. Jennifer was finally realizing she’d gotten the raw end of the deal when she married him. Rourke pulled Jennifer more tightly into his arms. He couldn’t lose her. He’d leave his job at The Inferno if he had to. He’d even move to Washington if she demanded it. He would do anything for his wife. Anything.

“I love you, Jennifer. I’ll do whatever it takes to make things right. Tell me what you need. I’ll make it happen.”

Jennifer wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Did you hear what I said? It’s not just you and me anymore. We both have to adjust to a new way of life. I’m promoting a couple of the girls to management, so I don’t have to work so much. I might need to put off expanding to a new location for a couple of years. I also think we should start looking for a house right away. Luc was very generous to give us a suite for so many years, but I don’t think I can raise children in a casino. We’ve saved a lot of money. We can buy a house outright if we want. We need to think about the kind of neighborhood that will suit us, and schools will be important.”

Rourke heard the words, but he wasn’t able to absorb them at first. They bounced around his brain while he tried to grasp them. His feet stopped moving. His brain stopped moving. His damn heart stopped moving.

“A house?”

“Yes,” Jennifer nodded.

“Schools?”

“Looking for a school early is very important. I hear there’s a waiting list for the best preschools. We will need to pick one and apply a few years early. Especially since we’ll be enrolling two children at once,” Jennifer spoke so matter-of-factly. As if she hadn’t just decimated his brain.

“For the baby?” His deep voice had definitely risen to an unmanly squeak on that last word.

“Yes, dear, the baby. Actually two babies.”

“Our babies?”

“Our babies.” Jennifer’s smile could light up Rourke’s world and it often did. She stepped back to take his hand and place it over her flat belly. “I know it’s a surprise. We said we’d wait until our lives settled down, but it’s happened. We’re pregnant.”

“We’re pregnant?” Rourke was sounding like a confused parrot. The brain still wasn’t responding. Babies? Two of them?

“Are you angry?” Jennifer asked nervously. Those ocean-blue eyes peered up at Rourke with so much hope and love. How could he ever be angry with her?

“Angry?” Rourke blinked. He spread his fingers wider over Jennifer’s abdomen. No, he wasn’t angry. Just shocked. He tried to organize is thoughts, but it was useless. Jennifer was anxiously waiting for Rourke’s reaction. Did she really believe he would be upset that she was having his children? Children. Two at the same time. Now that his brain was rebooting, Rourke’s predominate emotion rising to the surface was pride. Pride and protectiveness for his wife and their growing family.

“Are you sure?” Rourke knew Jennifer would be sure before she told him, but the operator in him needed to see the proof for himself before he began to work out a plan of action. There would be tremendous changes in his life once he saw the evidence of their pregnancy.

“I’m very sure. I went to the doctor today. You know I haven’t been feeling like myself. I’m exhausted all the time. Apparently, being ten weeks pregnant with twins will do that to you. I’ve been so busy with competitions. I thought I was just overworked. You know I’m never regular. It never dawned on me that I might be pregnant. The doctor almost had to pick me up off the floor I was so stunned,” Jennifer stepped out of his arms and retrieved her purse from a hook on the wall by the door. She came back to Rourke with a small square of black and white paper.

Rourke was expecting a positive test result, not an image of the babies. He’d missed their first sonogram. He was already slacking in his duties as father. He inspected each image closely. It didn’t look like much of anything to him at first. Typed near two blobs were the words “baby A” and “baby B”.

Jennifer pointed to the image, “There’s a head. That’s the body. Over here is another head. You see this?” she asked. Rourke looked closer. “Those two lines are tiny little legs.” Jennifer was peering down at the picture lovingly.

Rourke looked at her belly and back to the image a few times. It was hard to imagine she had two babies in there. After Jennifer pointed out the features on the sonogram image, they came into focus for him. The blobs became tiny people with perfect little heads and rounded bodied with dark spots in the middle that Jennifer said were their hearts. Those were his children’s hearts. His children were in her belly growing right now.

Rourke’s brain finally came back online. He had so much work to do and only six and a half months to do it. He scooped Jennifer up into his arms and carried her down the hall.

“What are you doing?” she giggled. “I can walk.”

“Not yet. I need to hold you,” he explained as he backed out of the studio’s front door, being careful not to bump Jennifer’s head.

“I need to lock up,” Jennifer complained, but she was still laughing. Rourke didn’t see anything funny. He was going to be a father. He had so much to do. So much to learn.

“I’ll do it once I get you in the car.” Rourke took her to his car and rested her on her feet just long enough to get the door open. Then, he picked her up and placed her gently in the passenger seat. He was buckling her seat belt so he could be sure she was properly secured before he took her home and built a wall around her and his babies. He didn’t want anything or anyone to touch them. Jennifer’s hands came up to touch his face.

“Rourke,” Jennifer said his name with so much love. “It’s going to be okay. I’m going to be fine. We can do this.”

Suddenly, Rourke’s knees felt weak. He loved her so much. Now, he had three people to love that way. Could his heart handle all that intensity? Was there room? As soon as he had the thought, Rourke knew his heart could handle it. It was already growing in his chest to accommodate the two tiny lives they’d created.

“I’m going to be the best dad.” Rourke smiled. It was a huge, full body smile. Jennifer giggled again.

“You’ll be the best dad ever,” she agreed. “I love you, Rourke.” She kissed him sweetly. Rourke kissed her back passionately.

“I love you,” he said when he finally broke the kiss. “I’m thinking maybe we should build a compound. You know, to keep out the riffraff. How do you feel about home schooling? How young do you think is too young to start weapons training?” Rourke asked Jennifer seriously. She couldn’t stop laughing. She kissed him again to shut him up.

That night, when they crawled into their giant bed in their fancy suite at The Inferno, Rourke and Jennifer held each other tight after he made slow sweet love to her. Jennifer lightly traced a finger over the SEAL tattoo on Rourke’s forearm and moved up to the newer ink that ran up to his shoulder and over his chest. Rourke’s growing collection of body art was sexy as hell in Jennifer’s eyes.

It seemed like so long ago when Rourke came home with that first tattoo. It symbolized the end of his military career and the beginning of their life together. It was a rough road in the beginning, but they made it together.

A new chapter in their lives had begun that day, and neither of them could wait to see what happened next in their epic love story. Rourke stroked Jennifer’s still flat belly and spoke to his unborn children. Jennifer laughed at his crazy plans to build a wall around her and the babies. And they lived happily ever after.

THE END.

Or is it the beginning?